Undergraduate Certificate in Sociology of Diversity

The Sociology Department has a strong emphasis in diversity and inequality issues, highlighting race and ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and class. For sociology majors, minors, and other students wishing to concentrate in these areas, we offer a certificate of specialization. Completion of the certificate provides evidence of specialized study, which can be beneficial for enhancing future career options and interests. The certificate is marketable to a wide variety of employers and educational institutions, including social work, graduate and professional schools, community action organizations, and social services. Participation in the certification program also provides students with opportunities for networking and mentoring. Dr. Abby Ferber is the coordinator of the Certificate in the Sociology of Diversity.

General Requirements

Minimum requirement for completion: four courses from four different categories, for a total of 12 credit hours.
A minimum grade of 3.3 is required for each course applied toward the certificate.
At least three courses must be upper division (3000+ level) and in Sociology. Independent studies may not be used to earn this certificate.
Up to 3 Sociology transfer credits may be applied to the certificate.

Course Requirements

Complete one course each from four different categories below, for a total of four courses. Three of the four courses must be upper level courses.

Race and Ethnicity:
SOC 2200 - Introduction to Racial and Ethnic Groups
SOC 3210 - American Minority Communities
SOC 3230 - Chicano/a Communities
SOC 3240 - African American Communities
SOC 3280 - Asian American Communities
SOC 3290 - Perspectives on Race and Ethnic Relations
SOC 3320 - African American Families
SOC 4480 - Racial Storytelling: Montgomery Travel Course
SOC 4590 - Youth Gangs
Gender
SOC 3110 - Sex, Society & You: A Sociology of Human Sexuality
SOC 3610 - Gendered Images
SOC 4040 - Sociology of Gender and Sexuality
SOC 4080 - Men and Masculinities
SOC 4700 - Global Feminisms *
*NOTE: SOC 4700 may be taken to fulfill either the Gender or Global requirement.
Disability
SOC 4120 - Body, Power and Culture
SOC 4230 - Foundations of Disability Studies
SOC 4240 - Sociology of Dis/Ability
SOC 4650 - Sociology of Mental Illness: Mad Studies
Intersectionality
SOC 3250 - Power, Privilege and Social Difference
SOC 4300 - Sociology of Sport
SOC 4470 - Travel Course: Intersections of Privilege
SOC 4530 - Advanced Privilege Studies
Class
SOC 4200 - Sociology of Poverty
SOC 4210 - Social Services and Welfare Reform
SOC 4310 - Class, Stratification and Power
Global
SOC 2220 - Communities in a Global Environment
SOC 3270 - Global Indigenous Issues
SOC 4380 - Globalization and Development
SOC 4700 - Global Feminisms *
SOC 4780 - Global Migration
*NOTE: SOC 4700 may be taken to fulfill either the Gender or Global requirement.

Additional special topic courses may be offered that can be counted toward the certificate. These courses must be approved in advance by the Certificate Coordinator or the Sociology Department chair.

Certification Process

Students wishing to enroll in a certificate program must turn in an application to the Certificate Coordinator, ideally when they declare their major. Students are strongly encouraged to enroll by their junior year to ensure that certificate requirements are met. Students that are not sociology majors or minors must complete three (3) credit hours of additional lower division sociology credit before enrolling in the certificate program.

Students must submit their transcript to the coordinator to verify that they have met the requirements for the certificate at the beginning of their final semester. To complete the certificate program, students are required to submit a five-page, typewritten self-statement, evaluating changes in their perceptions of diversity issues as a result of program participation and the implication for future scholarly and professional work. The certificate will be mailed to recipients upon completion of a certificate audit and graduation.